Master of Science in Nursing
Clinical Nurse Leader
NEW! ONLINE CNL PROGRAM AVAILABLE!!!
What is the Clinical Nurse Leader role?
The Clinical Nurse Leader track is an exciting opportunity for recent graduates and experienced BSN nurses to change the face of nursing and client care. The focus of the CNL role is promotion of the best possible client care in all settings. The CNL oversees and directs client care for a distinct group of patients. CNLs collaborate with the client’s family members, lead interdisciplinary teams in care delivery and serve as the client’s advocate in the health care system. The CNL is a source of emotional support, empowerment, and knowledge for clients and their families. The CNL is a resource to other nurses and health care providers. The CNL promotes high-quality, evidence based, and well-coordinated client care through the following role functions:
- Clinician
- Outcomes manager
- Client advocate
- Educator
- Information manager
- Systems analyst/ Risk anticipator
- Team manager
- Member of a profession
- Lifelong learner
The CNL track at the University of Florida is offered in cooperation with the following Gainesville/Jacksonville area practice partners: Shands at the University of Florida , Shands Jacksonville, Malcom Randall VA Medical Center (part of the North Florida/South Georgia VA Health System), Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville and Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville. We are also developing partnerships that will be used for CNL placement in other areas.
The Clinical Nurse Leader curriculum is offered on a part-time basis, and can be completed in 2 years.
Beginning in Fall 2010, all didactic (classroom) courses in the CNL curriculum will be available online.
The program culminates in a 12 week, full –time clinical residency (role immersion) experience in one of our practice partner settings, or other regional VA hospitals. Successful graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the CNL certification exam offered by the Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC), a branch of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).For more information about the CNL role, visit the AACN website at www.aacn.nche.edu, or download their CNL informational brochure here: a href="http://www.aacn.nche.edu/CNL/pdf/Brochure.pdf
Important aspects of the CNL program:
- The CNL education program culminates in a master of science in nursing degree.
- The CNL graduate is a generalist who practices with a high level of clinical competence at the point of care.
- The CNL graduate is prepared for clinical leadership in settings throughout the healthcare delivery system.
Sample part-time curriculum plan
Application deadline for all MSN clinical tracks is March 15. (See below for more details)*
*Note: The March 15 deadline for the MSN program indicate the earliest date when the College will begin accepting students. After March 15, applications to the MSN program will be accepted until May 31st and students will be accepted on a space available basis.
For a list of Frequently Asked Questions compiled by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, click here
All general MSN program inquiries should be directed to
Cecile Kiley
Coordinator, Academic Support Services
UF College of Nursing
PO Box 100197
Gainesville, FL 32610-0197
(352) 273-6331
Specific questions about the CNL track should be directed to:
Jane Gannon
Clinical Assistant Professor
(904) 244-5166
jmgannon@ufl.edu